Durham Hip-Hop Artist and Educator Joshua "Rowdy" Rowsey Dies at 32

Joshua "Rowdy" Rowsey, a prominent Durham hip-hop artist and educator at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, died suddenly from a heart attack on Wednesday at the age of 32.

Rowsey was known for his tireless efforts to inspire and educate the next generation of creatives through his work with the UNC Cypher, Med City Cypher, and Carolina Hip Hop Institute.

Rowsey, a UNC-Chapel Hill alumnus, taught rap and MC lessons for the Carolina Hip Hop Institute and the university's Community Music School. He was a featured performer on BET, NPR, and PBS Kids, and gave a TEDx talk on the importance of hip-hop culture. As part of the national collective No9to5 Music, Rowsey performed with his live jazz band (J) Rowdy & The Night Shift, which was nominated for a 2017 Carolina Music Award.

In addition to his musical pursuits, Rowsey served as a U.S. Hip Hop Ambassador through the U.S. Department of State and the Next Level Hip Hop Program. He held a Master of Arts in Teaching from UNC Greensboro and was the executive director of Blackspace, a Downtown Durham Afrofuturist teen center.

Why this matters: Rowsey's passing is a significant loss for the Durham music scene and the broader hip-hop community. His dedication to mentoring young artists and spreading Southern hip-hop culture on a national and international level leaves a lasting impact on the next generation of creatives.

Rowsey's legacy is perhaps best exemplified by the two Triangle Area cyphers he created: the UNC Cypher at Carolina and the Med City Cypher in Downtown Durham. These spaces provided a platform for aspiring artists to hone their skills and connect with the hip-hop community. "Joshua was a passionate advocate for hip-hop culture," said a fellow artist who collaborated with Rowsey. "He championed Southern hip-hop, built cypher spaces, and tirelessly spread the culture through performances and workshops."

The Durham community will pay tribute to Rowsey on Friday at 9:19 pm near the bull statue in downtown Durham. Friends, colleagues, and students whose lives were touched by Rowsey's mentorship and passion for hip-hop are expected to gather to honor his memory and continue his mission of empowering the next generation of artists.

Key Takeaways

• Joshua "Rowdy" Rowsey, a prominent Durham hip-hop artist and educator, died at 32.
• Rowsey taught at UNC-Chapel Hill and founded the UNC Cypher and Med City Cypher.
• Rowsey was a featured performer on BET, NPR, and PBS Kids, and gave a TEDx talk.
• Rowsey served as a U.S. Hip Hop Ambassador and was the executive director of Blackspace.
• The Durham community will pay tribute to Rowsey on Friday to honor his legacy.